Tuesday, August 25, 2026 11:27 am

Fuquay-Varina- Charles Lawrence Hartman, a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, and faithful servant of God, passed away on August 23, 2026, at his home in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.

He leaves behind a legacy of warmth, service, and unwavering faith.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at The Gathering Community Church, 501 Wake Chapel Rd., Fuquay-Varina. Family will receive friends immediately following the service. Interment with military honors will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8220 Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake.

Born in Cumberland, Maryland, on September 30, 1934, to Paul and Ruth Hartman, Charlie grew up alongside his older brother, Skip, and graduated from Fort Hill High School in 1952. Proud of his roots, he maintained a deep connection to his hometown throughout his life, faithfully attending his Fort Hill high school reunions and the Meister family reunions whenever he was able.

Following high school, Charlie honorably served his country in the United States Army in South Korea. Upon returning home, he pursued his passion for education, graduating from Frostburg State Teachers College in 1961. He dedicated 13 years to shaping young minds as a schoolteacher in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It was during his teaching career that he met the love of his life, fellow teacher Mary Anne Herndon of Grover, North Carolina. The two were united in marriage on October 10, 1964, beginning a loving partnership that spanned over six decades.

In the early 1970s, Charlie and Mary Anne moved their young family to Shelby, North Carolina, where he transitioned into a successful career as an Allstate Insurance agent. Bringing his educator's heart to his new profession, Charlie truly enjoyed connecting with people, building relationships, and helping members of his community understand how to protect what mattered most to them.

Faith was the cornerstone of Charlie's life. As a member of First Baptist Church in Shelby, he taught Sunday school for more than two decades. He was a true man of God whose devotion was visible in his daily routine--he read his tattered Bible every single day, turning its pages until it literally disintegrated from heavy use, having read it cover-to-cover at least a dozen times.

In 2004, Charlie and Mary Anne retired to North Myrtle Beach, where they built their dream home--a joyous gathering place that became the backdrop for countless cherished memories with their five grandchildren. An avid reader with a lifelong curiosity, Charlie spent his retirement years immersed in books, tending meticulously to his yard, and enjoying his favorite simple pleasure: a bowl of Cheerios, which he happily ate nearly every day of his life. In 2024, Charlie and Mary Anne relocated to Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, to be nearer to family.

Charlie is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Anne Hartman; his son, John Hartman (Heidi); his daughter, Kim Monk (Joe); his grandchildren, Jackson Monk (Hannah), Gabriel Monk, Taylor Monk, Hannah Sloan (Sam), and Alexander Hartman; and his great-grandson, Tucker Monk, whom Charlie was thrilled to welcome into the family last year. Charlie leaves behind a deeply loved family and an indelible Christian legacy that will continue to guide and inspire generations to come.